Books (May 2008)

Lester R. Brown, Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, New York: WW Norton 2008 398 pp.  Notes/ Refs 80 pp   $18.95

Lester R. Brown presents an excellent, comprehensive analysis and discussion of the major ecological and social challenges threatening humanity with the possibility of extinction. These include problems with oil and food supplies; climate change and rising sea levels; water shortages; depletion of natural resources; and warnings about possible tipping points in failing social and economic systems. The most concerning factor is global heating, which could reach a tipping point beyond which it would be impossible to reverse the melting of glaciers and the destruction 
of life as we know it on our planet.

He proposes numerous solutions for our most serious and urgent challenge, climate change, often measured in the numbers of coal-powered electricity generating facilities that could be eliminated. This is vital to climate control because emissions of carbon dioxide from coal burning facilities is the most serious contributor to global warming on the one hand, and one of the most readily replaceable factor on the other hand.
(See more in IJHC, May 2008)

Is Society now too Complex for Us?
Book reviews and discussion by Andy James, B.Sc (Econ), FCA, MQT

I have been interested in the impact of complexity on human beings for several decades now, ever since practicing (and later teaching) the Buddhist-Daoist disciplines including Insight Meditation, Taijiquan and Qigong.  The renowned Indian sage, J.D. Krishnamurti, wrote at length on complexity at least 15 years before formal, academic “Complexity Theory”.  He was emphatic that complexity could not be overcome by more complexity but only by simplicity, which made sense to me.

At the risk of being immodest, I would like to quote from one of my own books, Ageless Wisdom Spirituality: Investing in Human Evolution, since it says what I still want to say now:

“Complexity and stress may well be the most harmful yet least understood aspects of modern society and in particular of technology.

A fundamental and long-standing promise of technology is that it will save you time and effort, and provide greater convenience, thus allowing you opportunity for more important, meaningful, or pleasurable activities. Judging by the voracity with which we consume new technology, most people seem to wholeheartedly embrace this view of continuing progress and improvement through technology.  Many even believe in the possibility of a technological paradise on earth – no work because of cheap energy and robotic labour; no pain because of miracle medical breakthroughs; happiness through virtual fantasies etc.

Studies are beginning to show, however, that one of the characteristics of advancing technology is greater complexity and that few technological innovations touted as ‘time-saving’, actually do.  Indeed many people now complain of time shrinkage or deficit – the feeling that there is not enough time to do what we think needs to be done.  We constantly feel pressured and burdened even as we continue to buy new ‘tech’ toys.” (James, 2003, p 78)

(See more in IJHC, May 2008)

Nancy Hopps, Surgery: Mindful Mending, Synergetic Systems 2006  CD and 16 pp booklet  $19.95

Nancy Hopps has created a series of Relax into Healing CDs. This one focuses on ways in which imagery, relaxation, affirmations can be helpful as self-healing in preparation for, during and following surgical procedures. Solo harp music accompanies Nancy’s calming guidance. The booklet contains portions of the voice presentation, and is helpful in recapping what one has heard. The CD can also be played during the surgery to strengthen its effects.
(See more in IJHC, May 2008)